National Artiste Day changed to March 22 in honour of late P. Ramlee

He said this date change was to honour P. Ramlee as well as promote art works and creative industry practitioners who succeeded in placing Malaysia on the global stage.

"The proposal to change the date from May 29 to March 22 has been carefully studied and feedback received from various related associations and organisations, before approval was obtained for the Cabinet Memorandum recommended by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry (KKMM)," he said in a statement today.

Apart from paying tribute to industry practitioners for their excellence, the National Artiste Day is also aimed at enhancing public awareness and appreciation of the role of arts and culture in establishing the Malaysian identity in this field regardless of race, especially in uniting the Keluarga Malaysia, he said.

He said KKMM wished to enter into a strategic cooperation with stakeholders in organising the launching ceremony of the National Artiste Day on March 22 this year.

This is to appreciate the contributions and role of local creative industry practitioners in developing the country through art, creative and culture activities as well as the government's efforts to bring the creative industry to a higher level.